BLUEMOMENT

Nick wrote:

ubergeekian wrote: I have an excellent and useful device on my boat. It's a wee arrow at the top of the mast which at all times points precisely where I want to go. No GPS required, either; it works on the Laws of Physics and Sod.

We have the very same device. It was working perfectly today, pointing us East out of Belfast Lough then SE through Donaghadee Sound, followed by due S down the Ards Peninsula. What an infallible and incredibly simple instrument!

I suspect they may work by divine intervention, as I often cast my eyes heavenwards when sailing, catch sight of the Mystical Device, and shout "Jesus".

Left Stornoway and Ocklepoint (last seen stuffing himself with cholesterol on Jaybee) yesterday by ferry and car, leaving the good ship Marisca on the pontoon. As may have been expected my forecast southerly winds only blew this morning and have now relented to westerly, gaining strength for their comeback next week when I go back to move the boat south to Oban for WHYW.
Hebfest seemed a bit muted this year compared to my last visit 3 years ago. The tent was there but somehow standing up for several hours with my infirmities to watch and have my ear drums assailed by acts that I could see on the telly (very badly sound engineered) - family were also there ensconced in 5* luxury - didnae seem worth £33 a head. McNeils seem to have pissed off the local players who have moved to the Crit which got very crowded for the pm sessions. I missed out on the Sail Stornoway festivities at the start of the week, 'cos I didn't get there till Tuesday night - the Gair Loch fleet hadn't arrived 'cos of the weather, the Bar-b-q on Wednesday was moved at short notice to a nice enough wee bay, complete with a couple of boghs in the entrance, just south of Arnish but not many boats, and fewer musicians, turned up. Apparently the usual musical suspects hadn't been informed. Nothing for yachts on Thursday - I sailed round the Shiants looking for puffins, dolphins and blue men but happily only found the first two - or Friday and then the Vega Challenge on Saturday out to Chicken Rock and back. Wind came up a bit during the race and one yacht, a big Westerly "Sharoni" lost her mast. The race was won by the only idiot daft enough to hoist a spinnaker and I thought Ocklepoint could have been a bit more enthusive with his congratulations.

marisca wrote: the Vega Challenge on Saturday out to Chicken Rock and back. Wind came up a bit during the race and one yacht, a big Westerly "Sharoni" lost her mast. The race was won by the only idiot daft enough to hoist a spinnaker and I thought Ocklepoint could have been a bit more enthusive with his congratulations.

So which Vega is the subject of your painting prize?
http://www.sailhebrides.info/pages/chal ... enges.html
Did Mavanier compete?

Ash

ash wrote: So which Vega is the subject of your painting prize?
http://www.sailhebrides.info/pages/chal ... enges.html
Did Mavanier compete?

Fortunately, in this case Vega refers to the artist's nomme de brosse rather than the subject of the painting which is of a more substantial vessel in more challenging seas than those in which the race was run. I am fair taken with it and I imagine Nick may also have received a work of art by the same artist when he cleaned up the prize list last year.

Mavanier did indeed compete and won 2nd place - the details of time differences have not been released so how close it was I dinnae ken. The handicap system is such that I felt carrying a couple of natives as ballast (I do so hope Angus and Calum read this!) might count in my favour - and so it proved. Now, who can lend me a Wayfarer for next year?

marisca wrote:

ash wrote: So which Vega is the subject of your painting prize?
http://www.sailhebrides.info/pages/chal ... enges.html
Did Mavanier compete?

Fortunately, in this case Vega refers to the artist's nomme de brosse rather than the subject of the painting which is of a more substantial vessel in more challenging seas than those in which the race was run. I am fair taken with it and I imagine Nick may also have received a work of art by the same artist when he cleaned up the prize list last year.

Mavanier did indeed compete and won 2nd place -

Sorry - didn't read my own link properly - I was thinking that Ocklepoint came second.

Reading Nick's report last year, I didn't realise that Vega was nothing to do with the boat - It was just coincidence that two Albin Vegas were competing.

Ash

marisca wrote: Now, who can lend me a Wayfarer for next year?

claymore wrote:We have a Wayfarer.

Sorry - Stole a quote from a 2008 post - viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3667 - don't take it seriously - though you could ask him.

Ash